Goode Intelligence issued a new analyst report forecasting that by 2019 there will be 5.5 billion users of mobile and wearable biometric technology around the world.

Goode Intelligence predicts that this will initially be driven by the integration of fingerprint sensors in high-end smart phones and tablets. Subsequently, this will be quickly followed by other biometric technologies deployed as part of either FIDO Aware solutions, proprietary-device OEM led initiatives such as Touch ID, and integration into multi-factor authentication platforms.

Biometrics is a natural way for users to authenticate and wearable technology, such as smart watches, bands and smart glasses, offer significant potential to support biometric technology for authentication purposes. Goode Intelligence predicts that Apple will integrate biometrics, either its Touch ID fingerprint solution or another biometric modality, potentially heartbeat recognition, into its iWatch smart watch device later in 2014.

Convenient authentication: Easier and more convenient to use than conventional technologies, biometric authentication matches well with mobile and wearable form factors

Replacing Password and PINs: Passwords are not secure or convenient, so they are not considered suitable for mobile and wearable devices

Driving mobile payments: Payments are an important driver for the adoption of mobile and wearable biometrics. Biometrics can provide strong authentication solutions either at the physical point of sale, online or through mobile wallets. The introduction of fingerprint biometrics for PayPal on the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone in April 2014 will lead to other payment providers and networks following suit

The authenticator for the Internet of Things: Mobile and Wearable biometrics is seen by many to be the universal authenticator for when humans interact with connected devices – the Internet of Things.

“We believe that smartphones and tablets will be the first wave of consumer devices to be biometrically-enabled and this will quickly be followed by wearable technology” said Alan Goode, author of the report and founder of Goode Intelligence.